US Extends Seven LNG Export Authorisations

The US Department of Energy (DoE) on October 21 extended until 2050 seven existing authorisations for exports of LNG to countries without free trade agreements with the US – the first under a new policy announced in July to enhance US LNG competitiveness.

“US LNG exports have more than quadrupled, putting the US among the top three LNG exporters in the world,” energy secretary Dan Brouillette said. “Increased LNG exports means more American energy production, more energy security, and more American jobs.”

In addition to allowing existing non-FTA authorisation holders to apply to extend their export terms through 2050, the DoE’s July policy statement also allows current applicants to amend their pending non-FTA applications to request an export term through 2050.

Extended authorisations were approved for Venture Global’s proposed Calcasieu Pass and Plaquemines LNG terminals in Louisiana, NextDecade’s Rio Grande project in Texas, Dominion Energy’s Cove Point LNG terminal in Maryland, Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi Stage 3 project in Texas and Freeport LNG’s four initial liquefaction trains and its proposed expansion.